20 Fashion Mistakes You Need To Stop Making Now

You can effortlessly look stylish and feel your best if you avoid common style mistakes most people make. Many women and men ignore simple fashion basics and miss out on easy techniques to improve their dressing style.

You can look your best and grow your confidence without breaking the bank if you follow the right advice. What's currently popular isn't necessarily what's best for you.

Don't fall into the trap of thinking you cannot look great without spending tons of money on clothes either. There are many simple ways to craft beautiful outfits even if you don't want to spend too much on your wardrobe.

Focus on buying and wearing quality clothing instead of having too many clothes to lower your ecological footprint and improve your fashion style drastically.

Here are some of the most common fashion mistakes you need to stop making right now to dress well and showcase your best features instantly.

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1. Not listening to your intuition

You are the first person who knows what feels right for you. Make sure to listen to your intuition as much as you can to understand what you like and what doesn't suit you.

Remember that dressing well is a skill that you can improve over time. It's normal if you feel overwhelmed in the beginning. You can get better at styling yourself with some practice.

Adopt a positive mindset and listen carefully to how you feel to start looking your best. Over time with experience, you will refine your fashion style if you persevere.

Start building your confidence up with the right attitude. This mindset shift alone is sure to improve your look and make you more attractive in no time.

2. Buying from too many expensive brands

A lot of people think that buying fancy fashion pieces will help them improve their style. On the contrary, that's what people do when they don't know much about fashion.

You don't need to have too many expensive clothes to look fabulous. Having a few key pieces that you love in your wardrobe is okay.

But if you spend too much on luxury and designer fashion, you risk missing out on great deals as your budget expires.

It's sometimes difficult to resist the urge to spend your monthly budget on upscale brands. Keep in mind that you can look your best even if you don't spend tons of money on clothes.

3. Wearing the wrong colors

Wearing the wrong colors for you can ruin your look instantly. Instead, choose the right combination of colors that suits you best.

Don't wear too many bold colors in your outfit, especially if you are trying something new. But don't shy away from colors completely. It's best to look for neutral colors that you can mix and match easily.

Neutral colors make clothing pieces versatile, timeless and work with any outfit. Choose a few colorful pieces once you feel comfortable to add a twist to your wardrobe.

You can wear classic colors all year-round effortlessly. They improve your look by giving a particular nuance to your outfits, whether they're on casual wear or formal wear.

4. Not knowing your fashion style

To look stylish and boost your confidence, make sure to know what the best fashion style is. If you aren't sure what kind of style you like wearing, take some time to find out.

Try out different clothes and outfits until you find the perfect combination for you. Be creative with your outfits and push out of your comfort zone. Experiment and don't be afraid to make mistakes.

But it's important to stay true to your fashion sense to improve the way you look. Each person has a different and unique style depending on who they are and what feels comfortable.

Fashion is the ultimate art form, aesthetic, vehicle for self-expression and creativity. Let it transpire in your day to day life with your clothes, shoes, and accessories.

5. Ignoring sustainable fashion

Adopt a more sustainable and ethical approach to fashion and make more conscious wardrobe choices. It doesn't necessarily mean that you have to invest more money into your closet.

Many clothing companies offer affordable and sustainable options for budget-friendly fashionistas. Buy from the most transparent, accountable, and sustainable fashion brands.

The best ethical and eco-friendly fashion labels help you dress sustainably and protect the planet, people, and animals. Be a conscious consumer and make an effort to choose sustainable and cruelty-free options.

Buy clothing from brands that implement sustainable practices in their daily operations. It's a sure way to look your best with a good conscience.

6. Neglecting layers

Don't neglect layers when you put together your outfits. Pick a handful of attractive layers that you can add to your daily looks. A long, well-fitting trench coat or a classic bomber jacket can improve your dressing style drastically.

Overcoats, blazers, gilets, parkas, puffers, vests, and liners help you stand out and transform casual clothing into timeless and elegant outfits.

Especially in the fall and winter, look for the best affordable and sustainable coats you can wear during the cold season.

7. Only wearing fashion trends

You don't need to follow style trends to look great. Buy classic styles instead since fashion trends go away quickly. You want to look your best forever, so build a wardrobe with clothes that stand the test of time.

Fast-fashion chains mass-produce cheap trendy clothing with little care for quality. It's exciting to shop at high-street stores but avoid cheaply made clothes. You'll quickly realize you have nothing to wear if you only follow fashion trends.

8. Buying too many clothes

The best way to improve your fashion style, save money, and protect the planet at the same time is to buy fewer clothes overall. Try to think more about the consequences behind each of your purchasing decisions.

Move away from excessive consumerism by keeping your look minimal. Limit the number of clothes you own to look your best. Try to adopt a minimalist approach to fashion.

Put simplicity first and keep your closet simple when buying new clothes and crafting your outfits. If you remove unneeded extras, you will improve your overall look.

A simple wardrobe doesn't necessarily have to be boring. You can make every piece you own a winner by simply choosing the right collection of clothes that go well together.

Simple fashion aesthetics are fantastic for the eye, the environment, your closet, and your budget. Invest in classic and timeless pieces to keep your look minimal and original.

Pick versatile pieces that you can combine easily into different outfits. It's how you improve your dressing sense over time. Only purchase what you need, clothing pieces that are essential to your wardrobe.

9. Wearing the wrong outfit for the occasion

Pick the right clothes for the occasion. You can easily make simple clothes look fashionable. Wear beachwear to the beach, office wear to work, and formal wear to evening diners.

Follow the dress code that fits in the setting to dress well and grow your confidence. But don't sacrifice your comfort. Make sure you feel great at all times.

Wear the right combination of clothes depending on the occasion but don't hesitate to stand out by breaking the rules. With experience, you will know when you need to conform and when you can ignore dress codes.

10. Wearing attention-grabbing clothes

Wear timeless and classic fashion pieces that don't go out of style over trendy, bold, and attention-grabbing clothes. Highly creative cuts and patterns are difficult to style and combine into different fashionable outfits.

Colorful, rich clothes often don't look as elegant or refined as you think. Instead, pick clothes that you can easily combine and wear for a long time. They are more sustainable, save you money, and improve your look.

Build a solid foundation of clean shapes, simple cuts, and classic silhouettes for your wardrobe. Put together modern, timeless, and elegant outfits with a few versatile pieces that you can wear for every occasion.

11. Choosing quantity over quality

When it comes to your wardrobe, don't choose quantity over quality. Don't excessively buy fast fashion, disposable, and cheaply made clothing.

Instead, choose more durable and high-quality pieces that look beautiful, last longer, and make you feel your best.

Wear a few excellent, well-made clothes. Pick more enduring and long-lasting clothing pieces. Choose stretch-resistant fabrics that have a soft hand feel and a tight weave or knit.

Invest in a smaller number of high-quality fashion pieces instead of multiple garments that you only wear a few times. You will spend less on durable clothes in the long run.

12. Not planning your outfits

Make sure to plan your outfits to avoid making fashion mistakes. Know the best seasons to shop and keep in mind your budget before you update everything you own.

Make plans if you want to look your best and improve your fashion style. Create a note of the best outfits to wear, and list the essentials you need before shopping.

Don't let ongoing sales or the current trends dictate what you should wear. Think about your fashion style and taste in clothes to set some guidelines for yourself.

13. Hiding your personality

Fashion is the ultimate form of self-expression. Don't hesitate to show your personality through your outfits. You can take inspiration from others. But make sure to the best clothes for you.

Whether you like contemporary styles, easygoing, classic pieces, or want to break away from the norm and set new rules, make every outfit you wear your own.

14. Ignoring your friends' advice

Don't ignore your friends' advice, especially if you know how to dress well. One of the best ways to improve your fashion style is to ask your friends.

Get together with people who already have fabulous looks to learn from them. Spend more time with people who give the best advice for some inspiration. Ask your acquaintances for style tips to look your best.

15. Ignoring secondhand fashion

A simple way to dress well for cheap is to buy secondhand clothes. At your local thrift store, vintage store, resale shop, or online marketplaces, you can find inexpensive, stylish, and unique pieces that nobody else is wearing.

Vintage and secondhand clothes are ideal for those that want to shop sustainably on a budget. They require no additional resources to produce and reduce textile waste ending up in landfills.

You can also swap clothes with your friends and family to renew your wardrobe without heading to the nearest mall. Organizing a clothing swap party at your house over the weekend is a fun activity.

It's a fantastic opportunity to get rid of the clothes you don't wear in your closet and refresh your wardrobe with new looks for the coming season.

16. Not taking care of your clothes

One of the biggest fashion mistakes you can make is not taking care of the clothes you already own. Take better care of the garments in your closet and keep them in great shape to improve the way you look.

You will protect the environment and save money at the same time because your clothes will last much longer. Especially each time you wash your clothes, avoid simple mistakes while doing your laundry.

17. Wearing ill-fitting clothes

Don't wear clothes that are too big or too small. Only keep garments that fit you perfectly and only keep in your closet the best items. Let go of clothes that are too small or too big.

Wear clothes with the perfect fit that make you look fantastic and flatter your figure. Don't forget to try on each item when shopping for new clothes.

You can improve your fashion style drastically by wearing the right fit for your body type. If your clothes don't fit you, your risk losing style and elegance.

18. Wearing the wrong shoes

A high-quality pair of shoes is essential to dress well and look your best. But make the conscious choice of buying from footwear brands that adhere to the highest social and environmental standards.

Ethical and vegan shoes produced with sustainable practices are a great addition to your wardrobe. They are one of the best investments you can make.

Pick the most comfortable, affordable, and durable shoes from my list of 30 ethical and vegan shoe companies.

19. Having too many accessories

You are making a big fashion mistake if you wear too many accessories. Instead, pick one stylish, luxury accessory to wear with the rest of your outfit. It can be a watch, a scarf, a hat, a belt, or a handbag.

But don't overdo it as one accessory is plenty enough. Keep your fashion style simple, versatile, and elegant with one unique designer item.

You can find affordable styles from Gucci, Hermès Birkin, Dolce & Gabbana, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Chanel, Christian Dior, Michael Kors, and more on designer resale sites.

20. Not having fun

Avoid feeling overwhelmed, having too many clothes but nothing to wear, letting stress or anxiety paralyze you. Make sure to have fun while shopping, building the perfect wardrobe for you, and crafting different outfits.

Enjoy the journey while improving your fashion style, growing your confidence, and enhancing the way you look. Enjoy and express yourself through your clothes to build self-esteem and creativity.

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Alex Assoune (MS) is a global health and environmental advocate. He founded Panaprium to inspire others with conscious living, ethical, and sustainable fashion. Alex has worked in many countries to address social and environmental issues. He speaks three languages and holds two Master of Science degrees in Engineering from SIGMA and IFPEN schools.